Remote control apparatus



Oct. 3- w. c. EDDY 2,332,785

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed May 26 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l I NV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 26, 1943. w. c. EDDY REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed May 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR. M C. EDDY w-u-M/ ATTORNEY.

Oct. 26, 1943. w. c. EDDY REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed May 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WILL/AM C. EDDY BY 7K4 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 26, 1943 1- William Crawford Eddy, Port Washington,.N.- Y., assignor to Radio-Corporation of America, a

. corporation of Delaware AppIicationMayZG',1939;Serial No. 275,791

15 Claims. (01. 74-223)" I This invention relates to remote control apparatus andf moreparticularly to a power transmitting unit :or selectively operating different mechanisms irom'asingle motor.

In order to meet theproblem of remotely controlling anumber ,of difierentielements of a device whose functions are to be performed selectively, it hasbeen the'practice heretofore to em: ploy separate'motqrs for the perform'ance of eabh function; 1 "In 'place of their separatev motors a-more or less complex transmissiondriveigear was em ployed with separately controlled clutches.

In order to simplifythe apparatusand especially in order to' periorm difierent operations with theaidof alsing'le motor, I have provided a compact control i unit. c'onsistingof a rotational power sourceg a power gearing, aslotted roller and a .pluralit'yjof clutch keys .each actuated by a separate solenoidf The circuits forfthe. indie vidu-al .solenoidsmay be controlled. from any re mote point. A- shaft or suitable belt is arranged toj be led througlithe clutch-members in such a. manner that whenever. it is desired to apply motion theretqthe circuit to a given solenoid.

is closed and the olenoid causes the clutch key to produce peripheral contact between said shaft or belt and saidslotted roller for sufficient time to perform any mechanical function which is undercontrol of'the shaft or belt.

It is an object -ofvmyinvention toprovide remote control apparatus :of 'the type wherein-a single power source maybe applied selectively for the performance of different mechanical movements; P r i i It is another object of invention to provide a remotely controlled 'powertran'smitting unit which i capable of usef in a variety of different ways,'particu1arly where it-is required to perform different mechanical'operations'in response to the closing of any one or more of a plurality of selective circuits. v a i It is a further object of my i'nvention to pro vide means for operating differentfrnechanisms reversibly in response to thec'losure of one or the other of two remote control circuits.

It is a .furtlier' jobjectof myinvention to provide remote control apparatus wherein a move: ment of predetermined extentcan be brought about many selected mechanism in response to the closure of a remote control -circuit.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon reading 'the ensuing part of this specification Wherein reference is made to'the accompanying drawings. 'Ihdfigures of the drawings are' briefly described as'fol lows; Figure 1 shows in plan new one embodiment of the transmission unit acoordingto my invenon;

ratus otherwiseshown in Fig.1; v V i A Fig. 3is an end view of the same apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of one'of the "clutch keys otherwise shown in the assembly views oi Figs.

1,2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '6 is a view'similar to that of Fig. 5 but illustrating the fiexure of the belt when'peripheral contact is made the slotted roller;

Fig.7 is anenlarged'cross sectional view in detail withrespect to a portion of theapparatus as shown in F g. 1, the section being made along the linel -lofFig'. 1; a i a I Fig; 8 isal detailed vie'w of a modified embodi-v ment of the slottedrollery i' 1 i Fig.9 is a detailed view of afsomewhat differently designed slotted r0ller;, V I

Fig. 10 shows an efdyiew of thesame roller otherwiseshown in Fig. 9 but in assembly with one of theclutch keys; v I

Fig.11 illustrates diagrammatically the use of rollers mounted on the clutch key where thefde sign of the apparatus is" suited to the application of considerable power;

Fig." lla supplements Fig. 11 for the purpose of illustrating solenoidal operation of a clutch member8a; Z Fig. 12 illustrates the principles involved in rendering'the selective remote control apparatus reversible'in its effect; Y

Fig. 13 showsa modification in which a combination of chain and sprocket wheel isused for transmitting power, and the meshing of the chain with the sprocket wheel is controlled by a doubleacting solenoid device, and j Fig. 14 shows in p lan vie'wa transmission unit 6 similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1 except that a somewhat differentroller member is utilized. This'figure also illustratestheassembly of elements otherwise detailedin 'Figs. 8 and 12.

Referring generallyto Figs.l, 2 and 3 wherein like parts" are given 1 corresponding reference numbers, Iprovide anapparatus unit including a motor I; the shaft of which is preferablypro'-" shaft4 is journalled in bearing 6;" 1

4 on whichthe slotted roller 5 is carried. The' Fig. 2 i's a view in elevation of the same-appaferent mechanisms.

ing! in" the yoke.

The slotted roller 5 may be of such length as to provide for any number of difierent belts which are to be selectivelycontrolled for actuating dif- The nature of the work to be performed by the transmission unit determines whether the roller shall be of uniform diameter as shown in Fig. 1, or whether it should be formed with stepsas shown by the roller 5;. in Fig. 8.

Mounted on ajipivotshaft 1 is a plurality of clutch keys 8 each of which is of suitable forma-' tion as shown in Fig. 4 for controlling the frictional engagement of a belt 9 with the side walls of the slots cut in the roller 5. The belt 9 is preferably threaded through two holes in in the when the clutch member 8 is advanced toward the axis of the roller 5, the belt becomes doubly flexed. The clutch members 8 may be held suitablyspaced apart by means of spacing sleeves ll which areslipped overthe pivot shaft I.

:In order to operate clutch keys 8-1 preferably provide individual solenoids l2 eachhaving an armature l3 which is provided at the upper part with ayoke l4 pivoted to the swinging end of the clutch key 8. The belt9 which is carried by the clutch key 8 can bethreaded through the openv The solenoids 12 are, preferably mounted ina holder l6 whichis secured to the base -1 I; of the transmission unit. Suitable terminals or binding screws [8 are provided for the solenoid windings sothat-remote control circuits may be connected theretor Figs fi, dandflshow clearly .how the clutch keys 8 are made effective .for engaging the belt 9 with the slotted roller 5.. The slots are preferablyprovided with inclined or V;-,cut' walls 19.

I have found, however, that, by making the belt in the form of a helix and by winding it from wire which, is highly'ftempered, a number of advantages are'gained. There is, of course,-a certain' amount of elasticity in the belt itself if wound inv the form of a helix. Then, too, the convolutions of the helix are such as to provide-a frictional engagement with the V-shaped notches in the roller 5; These notches may be smoothcut wherethe driving power for operating agiven mechanism is relatively small. on the other hand, if considerable power is to be applied, the slots. in the-roller may be knurled, or may even be cut as gear teeth and of a pitch corresponding to the number of convolutions per unit length of the helically wound belt 9. y I

The normal, or. disengaged, position of the belt 9 with respect to theroller 5 is shown in Fig. ,5. The'key clutch member 8 may be heldupwardly and away from theroller -5-eitherby virtue of its effective suspension bythe belt 9, or, if de sired, a-leafspring 29 (Fig. 3) may be provided having a portion which supports the clutch mem bel,8 on the underside thereof. Other tensional means may'beprovided asan alternative to the into frictional engagement with the V-shaped walls l9 of the roller 5. The belt is bent sufficiently about the periphery of the roller 5 so as to be pulled in the direction of motion of said roller. This direction of motion is illustratively shown in Fig. 3 by means of arrows. Here a right-to-left direction of travel of the belt 9 is obtained because the roller 20 revolves counterclockwise.

Fig. 12 shows how a rotatable member or spool 2| may be reversibly driven in response to the selective control of two difierent clutch members -8 arranged side-by-side along the periphery of "the roller 5. The clutch members themselves are not shown in Fig. l2, slnce it will be understood from the other figures how they are applied. The

"belt 9 in this case is wound about the drum 2| and is made to engage with two diilerent slots in the roller 5. The belt 9 is endless, a portion being looped where it extends from one slot to the other at the output side of the transmission unit. For operating the rotatable element 2|; as shown in Fig. 12, in one direction, the portion ofthe belt 9 which extends acrosstheright-hand slotof the roller 5 is engaged therewith by selective actuation of the right-hand clutch key-(not shown). Correspondingly, for driving the rotatable mechanism 21 in the opposite direction, the left-hand clutch key (not shown) willbe'actuated by its solenoid. Since it is notintended to actuate both clutch keys simultaneously the size. of the loop in the belt extending'from one slot. to the other remains constant. I

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that, by'arranging stepped pulleys on the roller. 51., difierent speeds of drive can be appliedto different belts for" performing a number of difierent control functions which must be so correlated. Fig. 8 further illustrates the principle of increasing the frictional engagement of the belt in the slotby knurling thexhollowpart of the slot itself. The knurled surface is shown at 22; The two grooves 22 in the pulley 5 may if desired be employed for reversibly actuating as'ingle belt which isin the form of a loop as shown inFig. 12.

Referring to Figs. '9 and 10, I show a'modifi'cationof the invention wherein the roller is is arranged with V-cut slots extending over a limited arc of the periphery, the remainder of the are v the transmission unit wherein-the solenoid circuit would, be closed for a limited time some what less than the time required to rotate the roller 5b through 360. The extent of movement given to the belt 9 is limited to the time during which the belt can be gripped in'the narrow slot 23. This gripping action continues for a period of time which is commensurate with the time interval during which the roller 51) rotatesthrough the angle A (Fig. 10). The are A subtended by the narrow slot 23 can, therefore, be predetermined by experiment in order to produce a given limited drag of the belt 9 upon each revolution of the roller 5b. 1 I

Referring to Figs. 11 and 110., I show therein an application 'of my invention in cases where considerable' power is to be appliedin exerting a pull upon the belt 9. In this case the clutch key member 8a may be suitably mounted for equal movement of both ends so as to maintain the input andoutputopenings for the'belt 9 in a horizontaliplane Details of a suitable mounting for this purpose are;not shown, since they may be varied as a matter of mere; mechanical skill so as to meet any individual requirements of design. In order to reducelthe friction ofithe belt upon the input and output openings oft'he key member 8a when the latter is pulled downwardly, rollers 24 are provided; .these being journalled' in bearings 'which' are integraluwith the key memberta; The mechanism shown in Figs. 11 and 11a is well' adaptedto the "applicationof considerable power for pulling the belt 9 in "the direction of rotation of theroller c.

Referring to Fig. .13, I .showiithereinianother modification which is suitable'ifor use where the transmitting unit is tobe subjectedto heavy duty. In this case the belt 9 of th other modifications isrep'laced by a link chain 3|. :This

. chain is adapteditomeshiwitha sprocket wheel 32 which is substituted for ,the slotted roller 5101 the other embodiments. Here againI preferably employ guide rollers 24 mounted in the clutch member 8a, the same as is shown in the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 11a. The clutch member 8a may be positivelyand reversibly actuated from one to the other of two positions, one for engaging the chain 3| .withthe sprocket wheel 32 and the other forprovidingdisengagement.' Two double-ended solenoid armatures 34 are connected by wrist pins 35 to the clutchmember 8a, one at each endthereof; The structure at onl one end is 'shownas. it will be understood that'it may be duplicated at the'other end. The upper solenoids 33'may be used for suspending the ar matures and the clutch member in the chain' dis engaging position, power being applied to the windings of the two upper solenoids either in series or in parallel. 'When the chain 3| is to be driven, thenzpower istra'n'sferred from .the upper solenoids 33. to two lower'solenoids 36 (only one of which is shown), thus'idrawing'down" the clutch member 8a to a position where the chain 3| will mesh with the sprocket wheel 32. C

1 In the arrangement of 'Fig.13,ta"s in the other arrangements, it will be understood that. any number of sprocket wheels maybe mounted on a single shaft'and each will be adapted to engage with adifferent chain 3| for selectively driving a suitable utilizatiomdevice. It will be apparent that I may, ifdesired, adopt the use of resilient means for-holding.theqclutch member Baiinqthe 3 disengaging 'position,.iin which case theiupper solenoids 33 maybe. dispensed with. This ar rangement is more: clearly shown in Fig. 11a.

Theas'sembly viewgiven in Fig. 14 is quite similar to that of Figj.,1"."A stepped. pulley 5a is, however, substituted. 'for the cylindrical pulley 5 of Fig. 1. The useiof two clutch members 8 in conjunction with a single belt 9 is-also illustrated, the same as shown in Fig l2. This arrangement operating in conjunction with a driven pulley 2| provides for reversiblerotation .of the latter, depending upon which' of two clutchmem ments are to be obtained for different portions of the. mechanism; at different times or simultaneously. As an example of one application of this invention, I may mention that inthe control of studio lighting units'it is very important that the various lighting units themselves shall be made remotely controllable in order to follow the actors with spot lights. Such illuminating devices have beendisclosed in my .Patents 2,221,079,

issued November ,12, 1940,: and 2,280,901, issued April 28,1942." Reference to the studio lighting system will make it clear how the various mechanical controls for,.orientation and tilting of the lights may be centered at a power driving system such as herein shown. All of the. controls in that case. would then beiapplied by selective actuation of difierentsolenoids 12 of the present system and the conversion-of this electric selective control into a mechanical control will be clearly understood by those skilled in theart. Another application of my invention may be found in .-;the requirements for orientation and tilting of a camera or a seriesbf; cameras; or television pick-up units. .In suchwan application it may be desirable to place diiferentv pickup units at diiferent points aboutan area where a, sporting event or'other performance is to be photographed, or televised. In; order to reduce the personnel for operating the diiferent camerasitwill beseen that.a remote control unit such as herein disclosed would enable a single operator to'orient, tilt and focus each camera from a remote point, that is, the point ofobservation of the operator himself. Another use for this remotecontrol unit is one which corresponds to the push-button tuning control. of. receiversortransmitters. Still another applicationof the invention is one in which a pluralityof mobile unitS dispOsed-in different Ihave also made use of my invention for actuating the different members of'an automaton or marionette, such as may be used in animated figure performances ;for television broadcasting. In. this-case the different belts which are controlled correspond with the muscles in the arms and legs of the automaton. When the belts are pulled they provide for the remotecontrol of the automaton to simulate theperformance of a human, actor. In this case the motor and transmission unit for actuating the automaton are preferably cgncealedawithin' the body and it is only necessary to provide connections from the automatonthrough a multiple conductor cable to a point of remote control by-an operator, so as to control all of the different muscular movements which may be required.

Other applications of my invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention itself is, therefore, limited in its scope only in accordance with the claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus forremotely controlling a, plurality of devices to be mechanically actuated, flexible tensional means for individually actuating said devices, a common power transmission drive wound wirei unitnrotatable 2 bearings; a single l motor for constantly: rotating "saidxadrive unitpandlelectromagnetically-1' operable means' having t: passagewaystherein through which said tensional means arei'individua'lly guided; said electromagnetically operable means=beingwarrange'dfifor flexing said tensional'means thereby to selectively engage the same ."with i said 1 drive unit; and around a; sub stantial arcthere'ofi so that'apull is caused to be exerted onsaidtensional means.' '23 Apparatus in accordance wi mamsrm which said 'te'nsional means is constituted by a plurality of belts, 'each belt being "a helic'ally 3. Apparatus} in accordance' with 'claim" 1 in which said tension'al means is constituted a plurality of sprocket chains. 1

- '-4.-:-'Apparatus in accordance with claim 1' in which'achosen unit'ofsaid tensional means is constituted as anfendless" belt having two units of ,said' electromagnetically"operable means asso'ciat'edtherewithfcrexertinga'pull o'n-said'belt in itherdirection. F I 5; *A' transmission drive mech'anisin comprising a I base, a roller journ'ale'd in said base, a worm wheel fieXed'to the' shaft 'of said roller, a motor havmg a worm on 'its "armature shaftffcr meshing with i said worm wheel I andtor" driving said roller, 'a plurality of flexible 'tens'ional members to be' s'lectively}drawn' bysaid roller, and elec tromagneti'callyactuated members having idler rollers'mounted'thereon forguidingsaid'tensional members Y individually into and out of driven engagement with the first-"Samar um c. A? selective drivingtransmis'sion' for appug cation oi'power we plurality of utilization'de vices, comprisingasingle motor; a pulley "con stantl'y driven: by said m'ot'or, ;said"pu1le y' being 7 provided with a plurality'bf belt chinnelmfijflex-J ible'belt friction'ally engageable withthe'inclined walls' of each said channel, clutch keys eachfor guiding one of said belts'respectively, each said key being'prov'ided'with eyes throughwhich the belt is threaded-{means including a concave jbea'ring surface on each said key for pressing the belt into driven engagementwith said-pulley; and a' solenoid-having an armature connected to said key for a'ctuatingthe same."

'7": Adevice in' accordance with cl said pulley is of step-formation; a

8 A' device in accordance with claim 6 in which the 'ch'annelsof saidpulley areknurled.

A"-device in accordance with claim 6' and provided-with means including a spring forn or mally retaining said key and its associated; belt ind-"position of disengagement from said pulley; said solenoid being operableln opposition to the forceofsaidspring. v f :10. A selective driving transmissioufor appli-' cation of power toa plurality of utilization dc vices, comprising a'smgie motor, a shaft-geared to'sa'id motor and-constantly driven thereby, a; plurality of sprocket wheels fixed to said shaft,

i t e wh h a 'chainadapted' to mesh with each said sprocket each said guide comprising axbar having guide holes thereintan'd bearings, rollers SWiVe11Ed 'iIl said bearings and adapted to apply pressure aaginst an appropriate one of said chains, and means electromagnetically controlled for actuat ing each saidzchain guide selectively thereby'to guide itsappropriate'chain into and out of mesh with its'sprocket wheel;

11. Selective transmission-means comprising a commoncdriving shaft; a drum member fixed to said shaft and having-Vaplurality of peripheral grooves therein, a belt disposed in alignment'with each groove, and magneticallyactuated clutch members, each individual to an appropriate one of said beltsyrespectively, each said groove being of restricted Width in predetermined arcs of the drum'periphery thereby to frictionallyengage its belt for a portion only of one drum revolution while the associated clutch member is actuated, each-saidxgroove being of greater width through outthe remainder of the drum periphery, thereby to release the beltwhile said greater width of groove is'presented to the actuated clutch member. w

12. A remote control system for selectively and mechanically actuating a plurality of devices, comprising in combination, aplurality'of flexible linear members each capable of transmitting power byitraction to an appropriate one of said devices, a'singlemotor, a rotatable member constantly driven by said motor; said member having peripheral-surfaces arranged and adapted to engagewith and drive said linear members, a plurality of foraminous clutch members, each being arranged for an individual one of said linear members to be conducted through at least one foramen therein; each of said clutch members constituting means for guidingfitslinear member into and out of driven engagement'with'said rotatable member, and. electromagnetic in'eans for selectively actuating each of said clutch membersu" i 13. A system 'saidfleirible linear membersare constituted as 2' motor, said pulley having belt grooves adapted'to receive'said beltsand drive the same by frictiona1 engagement therewith, a plurality of clutch members each having at least one orifice therein through which an individualone of said belts is conducted, each said clutch member constituting means for guiding said belt into and out of driven engagement with said pulley, and electromagnetic means for selectively actuating each of said clutch members. v v

' WILLIAM CRAWFORD EDDY. 

